Be Light: A Marriage Renewal Date Night Series

Sponsored by the Archdiocese of New York

Join top Marriage Champions from around the country for a 5 part marriage enrichment and renewal series. During this time of social isolation, our Domestic Church is in even greater need of relationship with God and others. This is our time as married couples to shine and be the light to those in our homes and communities. Register today and let your marriage BE LIGHT!

Together we will explore various topics including belonging, expectations, the need for community, couples works of mercy and living as missionary disciples. We will dive deep into catechesis, marriage formation and evangelization as we grow closer to our beloved and in relationship with God. This series is designed to meet the needs of couples who want to use the challenge of social distancing to grow closer to each other and build relationships with other couples.

Each date night will include a video from a dynamic couple, reflection questions and recommended resources. The feel will be a combination of date night/parish mission/retreat/small group. Take this time to renew your marriage and build new relationships with other couples!

Note: This promo video is from the original series launch date in April 2020

Meet our featured presenters below:

Kidd Couple

Jason and Sarah Kidd

Jason and Sarah Kidd have been married 16 years and live in greater Portlandia. They have four children, who bring them much joy and patience. Jason serves as the Director of the Marriage and Family Life Office for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, President elect on the NACFLM board, as well as the NW Regional board for Alpha. He received his MA in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. Sarah Kidd holds dual degrees in Elementary and Special Education; however, she took a break from the classroom to be a full-time mom. Sarah is passionate about Jesus, raising joyful kids, ecumenism, hospitality, and strong coffee. As a family, the Kidds love camping, road trips, new adventures, and Rice Krispy treats.

David and Kate Dawson

David and Kate Dawson have been married for twelve years and have eight beautiful children. David is the Director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, but Kate does all the real work at home. David and Kate are responsible for helping to make the Domestic Church movement available in English in the United States. Domestic Church began in Poland with the help and support of St. John Paul II, and it exists to provide sacramentally married couples with formation for growing in holiness together as a couple.

Dawson Couple

Budd couple

Richard and Maureen Budd

Richard and Maureen Budd live near Lansing, Michigan and have been married for five years with three children. Before getting married, Richard received his Master’s Degree from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family and worked in parish ministry while Maureen graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business and worked in Marketing for about ten years. Since they’ve been married, Rich works as the Director of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Lansing and Maureen has been a full time stay at home mom. They enjoy sharing their gifts and leading others to a fuller relationship with God.

Michael and Deanna Johnston

Michael and Deanna Johnston met on Catholic Match in 2010 and got married in October 2013. They live in East Texas with their 4 children (Alexandria, Simon, Elena, and Leo) and a chicken named Patricia. Michael and Deanna both have a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and an MA degree in Theology. Michael is a high school theology teacher, and Deanna is the Director of Family Life for the St. Philip Institute of Catechesis and Evangelization in the Diocese of Tyler.

Johnston Couple

Schimpf Couple

Alex and Sarah Schimpf

Alex and Sarah Schimpf live in Oklahoma City, OK, where Alex works as the Director of Marriage and Family Life Ministry for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Sarah is a freelance event planner and a stay-at-home mom. They have been married for 10 years and have been blessed with four children: Xavier (9), Gideon (7), Edith (5), and Antigone (1.5). Together they also serve as the Regional Couple for the Domestic Church Movement.

Press and Participating Couples Testimonies:

Best, most down to earth short course ever! Goes straight to the heart. Thank you so much for your ministry. -Dan, Ontario, Canada

I recommend this series of brief videos for couples struggling during this time of quarantine. There is a level of authenticity in these videos that I haven’t seen in a long time. -Alexander Schimpf, Director of Family Life, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, OK

Gathering, albeit “virtually” with other couples ENCOURAGED us through the solidarity of hearts we felt knowing that we were not alone in our desire to grow. By humbling ourselves before others who were not afraid to be vulnerable and transparent…to bear the “wisdom of their wounds” is an investment with infinite return and eternal reward. -Mike and Julie Bishop, Germantown, TN

During our Diocese of Orange post-series hangout, I was impressed to discover that even couples who have been married over 20, 30 years found the series to be helpful and enriching. They appreciated the unabashedly Catholic presentations about sacramental marriage and were nourished in their faith. Our couples had heated conversations and healing conversations throughout the series and were ultimately renewed. Most of us are sad that the five nights are already over! There is definitely a hunger for more.

-Linda Ji, Director of Family Life, Diocese of Orange, CA

Thank you! What a blessing to engage in these brief videos with concepts that matter for the health of our marriage, the Church, and society! We were super excited to see that there are other couples out there who are striving for holiness like we are, and are very “real” at the same time. -Anne Marie, Springfield, IL

We were able to take some time each evening to relax, have some dessert on the couch and listen to the couples share about their journeys. We had some really good discussions after each video. It was nice that this was provided during this stressful pandemic time; it was a good change of pace and helpful to reflect on the things that really matter. -Ian & Elizabeth, Owensboro, KY

Be Light Date Night Series has made us stronger and has motivated us to spend more time dating each other no matter how small the date might seem! -Tiffany, Austin, TX

We enjoyed this a lot. We’re super grateful to the Schimpfs for hosting a local virtual discussion group. I don’t think this would have been anywhere near as effective if we’d only watched the videos and skipped the opportunity to share and learn from other couples near us. Thank you so much! – Jason, Oklahoma City, OK